Biyernes, Nobyembre 4, 2011

As long as he wants, I can

"Welcome to the Milk Mama Diaries Carnival (November). For this month, participants share their experiences on extended breastfeeding. This includes tips to moms with young babies, as well as barriers and myths which discourage extended nursing. Please scroll down to the end of this post and check out the other carnival participants."

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Deciding to breastfeed my son was easy. In fact, I knew that I will breastfeed even before I had a boyfriend. Breastfeeding is normal in my family (and is really is for all humans! :D).

But I have not thought about until when I will nurse. I asked myself this question when he reached past 1 year old- not because I got tired of dragging the pump everywhere I go or I no longer want to. I was actually transferred to another group in the office handling a different business line that will require me travels to the province and more time since the product that I will handle is entirely different from my former post. I fear, that with the pressure of the transition, I might have difficulties in producing enough milk for him...and honestly, at some point, it was tempting to wean my son already.

But I said to myself, I had a hard start and I was able to do it, so why quit now? My new office is on top of the mall and during my first day, I explored for possible nursing areas but I found nothing suitable within the office. So, I tried the nursing station in the mall. It is very comfy and relaxing! But it is a 10 minute walk from the office so it is not a viable option.

Luckily, a friend suggested that I pump in my cube instead. Yes, you read it right--inside my cube and this is how I do it.

This is my office and I have allocated portion of it as my ''milking area'' (please see marked area in photo).

I put my milk and pump parts in the cooler that is kept cool by gel packs.

When it is time to pump, I put on a poncho or a jacket and shawl to cover myself. I ''gear-up'' facing the wall and I turn on my pump while I read emails or surf the net.

Aside from the will to continue nursing, there are also two (2) events that has helped me go on.

The first one is when my son cut his first tooth. It was so hard for him that he became a picky eater. There are also days when all he wants is mommy's milk and immediately asks for me to nurse him when I get home from work. Most often, he is not really feeding, he is just nursing for comfort.

Second, a few weeks ago, my son had very high fever. We actually had a "dengue scare" and for the entire time, he rejected solids, all he wants to do is nurse. Somehow, my worry on his nutrition was not as much since he was getting milk from me. I know that he needed more, but the comfort of giving better than animal's milk helped me.

For both cases, I worry about my son's nutrition. I hope that many will make nutrition their priority and in turn breastfeed their babies.

Great post!! i know that some moms give up because they say that they have no place in their office to express milk. your experience is a perfect example that IT IS possible even if you have open desk. thanks for sharing!!

Tungkol sa Akin

--an architect's wife, a working & breastfeeding mom. my wish is to be a full-time COO of our home but that will have to wait! :) for now, i want to share my thoughts, adventures, dreams and to write again—after more than a decade